The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2016 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on November 3, 2016, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Running the bagel shop he co-owns with his father keeps Josh
Goldberg busy, but he feels restless and constrained by the lack of dating
prospects on tiny Hartsbridge Island. Could wounded veteran Michael Baldwin be
the something more he's been looking for?

Returning home from military service after having been shot
would be hard for Michael even if he weren't juggling PTSD, speech problems,
and his family's political aspirations. Growing up in the public eye, he's used
to living in the closet, with brief forays into anonymous sex with strangers in
bars. He spent most of his life doing what his politically ambitious parents
expected him to, until he joined the Air Force as a way of reclaiming his
identity. After being shot, he was isolated in rehab away from them, but a
return to civilian life means that he must relearn to deal with his family.
Luckily, he has Kaylee, a service dog trained to keep him safe and help him
cope with panic. Josh is attracted to Michael as soon as he sees him, but he
doesn't know if Michael is single or gay. His instant crush slowly evolves into
a friendship based on understanding, mutual respect, and desire. Together, the
two men learn to navigate their ways through faulty communication, self-esteem
issues, and very difficult family situations. But when a candid photo threatens
to out Michael, will they be able to weather the storm? Ultimately, there isn't
a lot of suspense in this story, but it's worth reading for the slow build, the
yummy descriptions of breakfast food, and the sweet flirtation that unfolds
between Michael and Josh. The characters are all funny and likable, and if
there's room for more nuance and development, well…there's nothing wrong with a
bit of fluff either.

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